The Trustee Senate will look at the challenges scheme Trustees face and ask how they can best address some of these challenges. It will also explore what the future is likely to hold for Trustees and assess the common themes emerging.

This webinar will look at the issue of mental health wellbeing in the workplace – asking the steps employers can take to improve the mental health of their employees; and looking at how things such as early intervention strategies can help.

The US equity investment environment has gradually shifted from active management to passive investing in both institutional and retail channels in recent years.

The US Large Cap Core Strategy provides exposure to quality US companies with sustainable competitive advantages and the ability to generate significant cash flow. We look for the best companies, at the right valuation, and hold for the long-term.

This new paper examines the increased focus on Responsible Investment in all its various forms, and reflects the growing awareness from investors globally that non-financial risks may have a meaningful impact on long-term financial performance.

The purpose of this paper is to provide an introduction to Responsible Investment, including the main approaches and the investor landscape.

China GDP increase good news for investors

CHINA - The announcement that China will significantly increase its GDP estimate will come as welcome news to investors, said James Alexander, marketing director at Atlantis Investment Management.

“Broadly speaking that is good news for corporate earnings and therefore that should be positive longer term for the stock market as well,” said Alexander.

One of the longer term problems with China has been that strong levels of GDP had not necessarily translated into stock market performance, or earnings growth.

“That is certainly something we have seen in China in the last 18 months or so. We are starting to feel more positive about the level of growth.”

The fact that GDP figures required adjustment is hardly surprising, said Alexander.

“We have al been suspicious over the accuracy of GDP numbers for many years. Are they GDP number or are they government’s internal forecasts?

Atlantis’ office in Hong Kong has often said the numbers that were reported actually under-represent what is taking place, certainly in the major cities, he added.

“In some industrial areas, going up towards Shanghai, you are probably looking at GDP growth in the region of 12% rather than around 9.5%. So when the numbers get thrown out we would not be surprised if the numbers are higher than has been previously forecast.”

The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) is consulting on changes to the actuarial assumptions it uses in valuations in a bid to better reflect the bulk annuity market, with schemes set to move into surplus on aggregate.